Why private companies are now asking customers for their Aadhaar number

After the Modi government has almost made Aadhaar mandatory in many transactions, companies like Amazon and Paytm are also asking customers to upload their 12-digit unique identity number if they want to avail their services. If a customer is unable to share a government certified identification proof, Amazon will continue to process the request based on other details shared by the customer. In case a customer does not have an Aadhaar card, a PAN Card or a passport proof would also suffice.

Contrary to this, Zoomcar has made Aadhaar mandatory. Without this identity proof, users in north India and Vijayawada won't be able to book a vehicle. The company, founded in 2013, operates in 15 cities. It started insisting on Aadhaar in June and will extend it to users across the country in a month.

"Aadhaar has the best API integration, the latest documents are getting connected with bank accounts. If you have an Aadhaar card, you have the KYC (know your customer) sorted," said a Zoomcar spokesperson.

Currently, Aadhaar is mandatory for consumers to get government subsidies, operate a bank account, and get a phone connection. People are required to link their Aadhaar number to existing bank accounts by the end of the year.